Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFunctionAnatomyPositionsAnatomical VariationsLocationConditionsTests
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Function
Anatomy
Positions
Anatomical Variations
Location
Conditions
Tests
The uterus is a muscular pelvic organ shaped like an upside-down pear positioned between the bladder and rectum. It plays a role in menstruation, pregnancy, and childbirth. The uterus is usually present in people assigned female at birth.
The lining of the uterus (endometrium) is the source of the blood and tissue shed each month during menstruation.
Cavan Images / Getty Images
Function of the Uterus
There are four main functions of the uterus:
Menstruation:During a typical menstrual cycle, the endometrial lining of the uterus undergoes vascularization, during which tiny blood vessels proliferate.
Vascularization makes the uterine lining thicker and rich in blood in preparation for the implantation of an egg. If pregnancy doesn’t happen, then the uterus sheds its lining during amenstrual period.
Fertility:Conception occurs when sperm (it just takes one) reaches the egg and fertilizes it. Pregnancy occurs when the growing embryo implants into the endometrium of the uterus and begins to grow.
Several factors affect the uterine role in fertility and ability to sustain a pregnancy, such as its shape, the presence of fibroids or polyps, and other medical conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Can You Get Pregnant Without a Uterus?While rare, it is theoretically possible to become pregnant without a uterus. An individual may have a hysterectomy (uterus removed) but still keep their ovaries and fallopian tubes. In these situations, an egg could be fertilized and grow—usually in the fallopian tube.An extrauterine pregnancy (outside of the uterus) is known as an ectopic pregnancy and is a medical emergency that requires treatment. These pregnancies are not viable and are treated either with medication or surgically.
Can You Get Pregnant Without a Uterus?
While rare, it is theoretically possible to become pregnant without a uterus. An individual may have a hysterectomy (uterus removed) but still keep their ovaries and fallopian tubes. In these situations, an egg could be fertilized and grow—usually in the fallopian tube.An extrauterine pregnancy (outside of the uterus) is known as an ectopic pregnancy and is a medical emergency that requires treatment. These pregnancies are not viable and are treated either with medication or surgically.
While rare, it is theoretically possible to become pregnant without a uterus. An individual may have a hysterectomy (uterus removed) but still keep their ovaries and fallopian tubes. In these situations, an egg could be fertilized and grow—usually in the fallopian tube.
An extrauterine pregnancy (outside of the uterus) is known as an ectopic pregnancy and is a medical emergency that requires treatment. These pregnancies are not viable and are treated either with medication or surgically.
What Does a Uterus Look Like?
The uterus is usually the size of an apple but can stretch to the size of a watermelon during pregnancy. There are some conditions that may cause anenlarged uterus, such as cancer,fibroids, andpolycystic ovary syndrome.
Three distinct tissue layers make up the uterus:
There are four main parts of the uterus:
Positions of the Uterus
The uterus can lie in different positions in different people. The positioning can be described based on the tilt of the uterus as well as the position of the fundus. The positions of the uterus include:
Fundus positioning may include:
Typically, during development, the uterus is shaped as one hollow organ. However, variations can occur. Congenital uterine anomalies include:
Occasionally, an individual could also be born with an absent (missing) uterus. These anatomical variations may also involve other reproductive organs and fertility.
Where Is the Uterus Located?
Shaped like an inverted pear, the uterus sits behind the bladder and in front of the rectum. The cervix is the lowest part of the uterus and can be accessed through the vaginal canal. The length of the vaginal canal varies but is generally 3.6-5 inches.However, it can stretch during sexual intercourse.
Position of Uterus in PregnancyBy the 12th week of pregnancy, the uterus begins growing up into the abdomen, or stomach area, and fills the pelvic region. Throughout pregnancy, the uterus continues to grow up and out.
Position of Uterus in Pregnancy
By the 12th week of pregnancy, the uterus begins growing up into the abdomen, or stomach area, and fills the pelvic region. Throughout pregnancy, the uterus continues to grow up and out.
Conditions Affecting the Uterus
Pelvic pain can happen in the uterus for several reasons, such as endometriosis, period cramps, pelvic inflammatory disease, or contractions during childbirth. Some discomfort is expected during childbirth and menstruation. However, extremely painful periods are not normal.
Several of the mostcommon uterus conditionsinclude:
Endometriosis
Less commonsymptoms of endometriosisincludespottingbetween periods, digestive problems, and infertility.
Treatment:Endometriosis may be treated with extended-cycle hormonal birth control or anintrauterine device(IUD). However, some individuals respond to complementary and alternative therapies such asacupuncture, chiropractic care, or supplements. The condition often goes away after menopause.
Fibroids
Uterine fibroidsare noncancerous tumors that grow in the muscular tissue of the uterus. Fibroids often do not cause symptoms or require treatment.For some individuals, however, uterine fibroids lead toheavy periodsorpain.
Treatment:Fibroids are typically treated with over-the-counter pain relievers containing ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or hormonal contraception.
In severe cases, surgery such as endometrialablation, myomectomy, oruterine fibroid embolizationmay be required.
Uterine Polyps
Polyps are fingerlike growths that attach to the wall of the uterus. They can range in size from as small as a sesame seed to larger than a golf ball. Many individuals have polyps without knowing it. When symptoms do occur, they can include:
Treatment:Uterine polyps are usually benign. However, larger or symptomatic polyps should be removed with a procedure known ashysteroscopy. Sometimes, adilation and curettage(D and C) is done to remove and biopsy endometrial polyps.
Uterine Prolapse
A prolapsed uterus occurs when the uterus drops down into the vaginal area and sometimes pushes out of the vagina. This occurs when pelvic muscles and tissues are weak.
Risk factors for uterine prolapse include age, having given birth via vaginal delivery, going through menopause, being White, being overweight, and smoking.
Treatment:Non-surgical treatments are usually first-line. However, surgical intervention may be necessary. There are two main surgical types: obliterative and reconstructive.
Obliterative narrows or closes off the vagina to support the uterus. Sex is not possible after this procedure. There are several types of reconstructive surgeries that may restore normal structure and function.
Tipped Uterus Position
Some individuals have aretrovertedor retroflexed uterus, which means it is tipped or tilted. This anatomical variation is usually not detected unless an individual becomes pregnant, and it is usually not an issue.
However, some individuals with a tilted uterus may have a higher risk ofmiscarriageor experience a pregnancy complication known as uterine incarceration. If that happens, aCaesarean deliverywill be necessary.
Uterine Cancer
Two types of cancers primarily affect the uterus:
The primarysymptom of endometrial canceris abnormal vaginal bleeding, which may start as a watery, blood-streaked flow that gradually contains more blood. Abnormal vaginal bleeding is not a normal part of menopause and should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Treatment:Surgery to remove the uterus is the most common treatment option. Providers may also utilize additional therapies, such as chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, hormonal treatments, or targeted treatments.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) occurs when bacteria enter the internal structures of the female reproductive tract, such as the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. If left untreated, it can cause permanent damage to these structures.
Treatment:PID is treated with antibiotics. However, antibiotics will not fix internal scarring that can happen if the disease is not treated promptly.
Tests involving the uterus are used to screen for cancer, diagnose certain diseases and conditions, aid in fertility treatments, and monitor the progress of a pregnancy. They include:
Summary
The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located behind the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is made up of three main tissues and has four distinct parts.
The uterus plays a significant role in menstruation, implantation, gestation, and labor. While the uterus is subject to certain health concerns, there are diagnostic tests and treatment options available.
22 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Uterus.NIH: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.About menstruation.Sallée C, Margueritte F, Marquet P, et al.Uterine factor infertility, a systematic review.J Clin Med. 2022;11(16):4907.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ectopic pregnancy.Kehde BH, van Herendael BJ, Tas B, Jain D, Helsen K, Jochems L.Large uterus: what is the limit for a laparoscopic approach?Autops Case Rep. 2016;6(1):51–56. doi: 10.4322/acr.2016.025Ameer MA, Fagan SE, Sosa-Stanley JN, et al.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, uterus. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Mount Sinai.Retroversion of the uterus.MedlinePlus.Congenital uterine anomalies.UCSF Gender Affirming Health Program.Vaginoplasty procedures, complications and aftercare.National Partnership for Women and Families.Your body throughout pregnancy.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health: HealthyWoman.gov.Endometriosis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health: HealthyWoman.gov.Uterine fibroids.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Endometrial polyps.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Uterine prolapse.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology.Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health: HealthyWoman.gov.Uterine cancer.American Cancer Society.Treating endometrial cancer.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).MedlinePlus.Pap smear.Mayo Clinic.Ultrasound.MedlinePlus.Pelvis x-rays.MedlinePlus.Hysteroscopy.
22 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Uterus.NIH: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.About menstruation.Sallée C, Margueritte F, Marquet P, et al.Uterine factor infertility, a systematic review.J Clin Med. 2022;11(16):4907.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ectopic pregnancy.Kehde BH, van Herendael BJ, Tas B, Jain D, Helsen K, Jochems L.Large uterus: what is the limit for a laparoscopic approach?Autops Case Rep. 2016;6(1):51–56. doi: 10.4322/acr.2016.025Ameer MA, Fagan SE, Sosa-Stanley JN, et al.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, uterus. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Mount Sinai.Retroversion of the uterus.MedlinePlus.Congenital uterine anomalies.UCSF Gender Affirming Health Program.Vaginoplasty procedures, complications and aftercare.National Partnership for Women and Families.Your body throughout pregnancy.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health: HealthyWoman.gov.Endometriosis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health: HealthyWoman.gov.Uterine fibroids.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Endometrial polyps.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Uterine prolapse.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology.Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health: HealthyWoman.gov.Uterine cancer.American Cancer Society.Treating endometrial cancer.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).MedlinePlus.Pap smear.Mayo Clinic.Ultrasound.MedlinePlus.Pelvis x-rays.MedlinePlus.Hysteroscopy.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Uterus.NIH: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.About menstruation.Sallée C, Margueritte F, Marquet P, et al.Uterine factor infertility, a systematic review.J Clin Med. 2022;11(16):4907.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ectopic pregnancy.Kehde BH, van Herendael BJ, Tas B, Jain D, Helsen K, Jochems L.Large uterus: what is the limit for a laparoscopic approach?Autops Case Rep. 2016;6(1):51–56. doi: 10.4322/acr.2016.025Ameer MA, Fagan SE, Sosa-Stanley JN, et al.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, uterus. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Mount Sinai.Retroversion of the uterus.MedlinePlus.Congenital uterine anomalies.UCSF Gender Affirming Health Program.Vaginoplasty procedures, complications and aftercare.National Partnership for Women and Families.Your body throughout pregnancy.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health: HealthyWoman.gov.Endometriosis.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health: HealthyWoman.gov.Uterine fibroids.U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Endometrial polyps.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Uterine prolapse.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology.Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health: HealthyWoman.gov.Uterine cancer.American Cancer Society.Treating endometrial cancer.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).MedlinePlus.Pap smear.Mayo Clinic.Ultrasound.MedlinePlus.Pelvis x-rays.MedlinePlus.Hysteroscopy.
MedlinePlus.Uterus.
NIH: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.About menstruation.
Sallée C, Margueritte F, Marquet P, et al.Uterine factor infertility, a systematic review.J Clin Med. 2022;11(16):4907.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Ectopic pregnancy.
Kehde BH, van Herendael BJ, Tas B, Jain D, Helsen K, Jochems L.Large uterus: what is the limit for a laparoscopic approach?Autops Case Rep. 2016;6(1):51–56. doi: 10.4322/acr.2016.025
Ameer MA, Fagan SE, Sosa-Stanley JN, et al.Anatomy, abdomen and pelvis, uterus. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Mount Sinai.Retroversion of the uterus.
MedlinePlus.Congenital uterine anomalies.
UCSF Gender Affirming Health Program.Vaginoplasty procedures, complications and aftercare.
National Partnership for Women and Families.Your body throughout pregnancy.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health: HealthyWoman.gov.Endometriosis.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health: HealthyWoman.gov.Uterine fibroids.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus.Endometrial polyps.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Uterine prolapse.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology.Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health: HealthyWoman.gov.Uterine cancer.
American Cancer Society.Treating endometrial cancer.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
MedlinePlus.Pap smear.
Mayo Clinic.Ultrasound.
MedlinePlus.Pelvis x-rays.
MedlinePlus.Hysteroscopy.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
